 Jane Longhurst's family say internet porn drove on her killer |
The campaign by the family of murdered teacher Jane Longhurst to ban violent internet porn sites is being taken to the US by David Blunkett. Mr Blunkett, who is visiting Washington DC and Boston, is urging the US to act with Britain to shut down such sites.
The move comes after the home secretary met the relatives of Brighton-based Miss Longhurst on Thursday.
Musician Graham Coutts, 35, was jailed for life in January for strangling the 31-year-old after visiting such sites.
 |  We believe effective action can be achieved only through international co-operation  |
He admitted to having a seven-year addiction to online violent pornography. After the trial, Miss Longhurst's mother, Liz, who lives in Reading, Berkshire, said political pressure was needed to close down the websites.
She said: "It is definitely the case if Graham Coutts had not had the internet...I expect my daughter would be alive today."
A Home Office spokeswoman said of Mr Blunkett's visit, which began on Sunday: "He will be raising with the Attorney General the issue of how we can co-operate to close down internet sites dedicated to matters such as necrophilia and adult violence.
Criminal offence
"The Home Secretary met this week with Jane Longhurst's family, whose daughter was recently murdered by Graham Coutts, who was apparently a regular user of such Internet sites.
"The family discussed their concerns over the link between his use of these sites and their daughter's murder.
"We believe effective action can be achieved only through international co-operation and want to start this discussion."
The family wants governments and internet companies to block access to sites, make it a criminal offence to possess extreme images, ensure better international co-operation, regulate internet images through Ofcom and act against credit card companies who deal with providers.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
